If I scaled Mace up to the filmed cats minimum shoulder height of 18 inches, it suggests a body weight of just over 50 pounds. Do not run from a lion. In Pennsylvania, I receive a few reports of black, big cats, which makes one wonder -- are there melanistic (black) pumas out there, or are those sightings always wrong. A contained "test fire" is typically lit mid- to late-morning in a small area to see if conditions are appropriate for proceeding with the full operation. Try to block the mountain lion from your eyes and face as you strike it. The stride was around 21 inches, and they ambled along at a leisurely pace. With that hope in mind, I have, for years, asked outdoors people if they ever heard of a mountain lion, or puma, in their area -- with my questioning limited to people in my home state of Pennsylvania. There is one significant change to Pennsylvania waterfowl seasons for the upcoming season which drops the bag limit during the regular season in the Atlantic Population (AP) goose zone to one Canada goose a day. It had been captured in Florida, and was to be released. However, my friend and I discussed this, and agreed, we saw what we saw, and had it been 40 years ago or four months ago, we knew we saw a coyote. That's true. The head of the puma is small in comparision to a house cat when compared to the entire body. If you're interested in this, please pass on this link, and if you see a cat, please let me know! Mentored hunters are not required to take a Hunter-Trapper Education class before obtaining a permit to hunt through the program. This is a game regulation that has been around for many years and predates most people currently working for the Game Commission. The late season flintlock season is a popular and unique opportunity, as only Pennsylvania offers this special hunt, which is enjoyed by an estimated 75,000 flintlock hunters. As many as 1,300 elk freely roam across 3,000 square miles in the northcentral region of the state. This is actually a good thing, as genetic isolation generally weakens a species. In 2011, the U.S. However, diseases may interact with other population influences, such as habitat & weather, and result in population declines. Trichinosis occurs throughout the United States, but it usually is . Most states have designated hunting seasons for mountain lions, and killing one without a tag is a violation, unless the hunter can prove self defense. With a decline in turkey population, why not eliminate the second Spring Gobbler tag? On average, one antlerless deer is harvested for every four antlerless deer licenses allocated. Where is Pennsylvanias elk herd located? With proper management, trapping allows for sustainable use of this valuable wildlife resource. Its impossible to say. This is not a Pennsylvania puma! Thank you for your interest in Pennsylvania wildlife. It is illegal to intentionally lay or place food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals that may cause bears to congregate or habituate an area. And a bit of an unpleasant one at that, as they now faced ridicule or doubt whenever they discussed their sightings. I have not spoken with a Game Commission officer personally, so I don't know whether anyone killing a puma in Pennsylvania could do so without legal repercussions. The current estimate is 2,000 - 2,700 throughout Arizona. Its distinctly possible. Given the cougar's effectiveness as a deer population control, some biologists think this eastern push is a good thing one that should even be encouraged or helped along. In only one report had an official from the Pennsylvania Game Commision, a local warden, actually agree with the person reporting the sighting. Mace weighs a bit over 15 lbs and stands 12 at the shoulder. Why cant Pennsylvanias Spring Gobbler season open earlier? Its a matter of perspective. There was no melting, no expansion. Hunters harvesting bears anywhere during the statewide archery bear season, or during any early season should contact the appropriate region office for instructions to have the animals checked. Its the basis of a classic fishing trick; you hold a fish a bit away from you to make it appear larger for the camera. After several years of teaching, I transitioned into the world of educational consulting. Are there pumas, or mountain lions, in Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic States? Both deer and turkey harvests must be reported within ten days (five days for turkeys or deer taken by mentored hunters, or persons required to make a homemade tag). For the 2021-22 license year, there are three elk hunting seasons: Archery, Sept. 11-25; Firearms, Nov. 1-6; and Late Season Jan. 1-8, 2022. On a recent stifling morning in Adams County, the 290-pound mountain lion with perfect bone structure is ignoring the raw chicken breast and pork chops a handler tossed into his pen. The head of the puma is small in comparision to a house cat when compared to the entire body. The more hens there are to be bred, the more gobblers a hunter can expect to see in future seasons, Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs Dr. James Earl Kennamer said. Is there a correct position for the upright on a Wimberley actionhead. What Is Good About Penn State University? Additional information can be found on the Hunter-Trapper Education page. Visit www.legis.state.pa.us for contact and bill information. During the 1990s turkeys exhibited rapid population expansion facilitated by a combination of: restoration (trap & transfer), suppressed predator populations (much more trapping than today and rabies was more evident), more controlled hunting seasons, and habitat availability. Why are rifles being banned for fall turkey hunting in the 2021 season? The Nittany Lion at State College wasn't just created out of thin air. The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners is comprised of eight board members, each selected by the governor, and confirmed by majority vote of the state Senate. The Game Commission has various wildlife management plans, for many game and nongame species, to ensure long-term sustainability of the resource. Yes. For more information, call 866-474-2141 or visit www.sharedeer.org. Learn more about elk history in Pennsylvania. View our annual reports, which include the Game Fund Revenues, Expenditures and Reserve Funds. *Please note: Since the Game Commission does not receive funding from the state budget, the agency must maintain a healthy reserve fund balance to continue to operate and fund long-term infrastructure projects. the result of eating undercooked pork, said Dr. By law, all first-time hunters and trappers, regardless of age, must successfully complete Hunter-Trapper Education training before they can buy a Pennsylvania hunting or trapping license. Click here for more information. These color morphs are most common in rain forests and jungles. They also instill a fear. Be sure to verify your mailing address when purchasing online licenses. The commission's furbearer biologist Thomas Keller said the PGC would "likely not be supportive of mountain lion reintroduction," pointing to the dangers posed to hikers, pets and other wildlife. Callers anywhere in the state can now dial 1-833-PGC-HUNT or 1-833-PGC-WILD to contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Centralized Dispatch Center and be directed appropriately. Several populations of Gray Squirrels scattered around the country are black, and recently I heard of a neighborhood of black Eastern Chipmunks. What's more, the U.S. Click here for step-by-step instructions about how to purchase a Pennsylvania hunting license. Why is there no post-Christmas grouse hunting season? It was recorded in Minnesota and Wisconsin in late 2009 and early 2010, and then died in Connecticut in 2011. Exact dates for reporting vary annually, but are generally January through May. The mountain lion, which is also called a cougar, puma or panther, weighs on . After that period, they must obtain a license to hunt. Its a wonderful defense against mountain lions (also known as cougars, pumas, or panthers). The other site, The Cougar Network, is still active, and is reporting the cats expanding range from the West, but offers little about the phenomenon of Pennsylvania cats. There is no prohibition, per se, on metal detecting on state game lands. After all, skeptics often suggest that puma sightings are just deer sightings, so it would be logical to worry that a hunter might shoot an endangered puma, mistaking it for a brown deer. Cougar or Bobcat? Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. Commissioners are appointed from various geographical districts of the state to ensure uniform representation for all residents. It is our mission to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations. There are geese everywhere, why does the Atlantic Population (AP) Zone have a one bird daily limit for the 2021-22 season? It is unlawful for individuals to possess a shed antler to sell, barter or trade OR to offer to sell, barter or trade any shed antler. Hunting mortality or number of turkeys harvested, especially in the fall, can affect turkey population due to the harvest of hens. State law currently mandates that the Pennsylvania Game Commission utilizes county treasurers offices in the antlerless license distribution process. I have received about two dozen reports during that time, including one. A game warden can prove that an attempt to tag the animal was made based on the evidence of a hole in the ear. Although size can be difficult to determine in the field, a puma will be three or four times larger than a bobcat. In Yellowstone, definite puma country (perhaps not ideal habitat, but pumas are found in every section of Yellowstone), I've spoken to guys on road crews and with rangers, each with 20 years of field or road experience in Yellowstone, and the ranger had only seen 2 (both road kills and together) and the road crew guys two or three in all their years. How would mountain lions impact black bears? While weather conditions and dryness are the primary factors for scheduling, the Game Commission also considers potential impacts to plants and animals, particularly those listed as "threatened" or "endangered," and adjusts burn timing accordingly to reduce conflicts. Are hunters OK with fewer deer?". How do I report my snow goose harvest? Encourage officials at all levels of government to support the steps necessary to slow the spread of CWD across Pennsylvania. Note the long, usually thick tail. Have your animal processed in the area in which it was harvested so high-risk parts can be disposed of properly; 5. Be safe and stay healthy! There are many benefits to regulated trapping, but here are just a few examples: Trapping is used to protect endangered and threatened species during critical times of the year such as sea turtle nests or ground nesting birds like the piping plover. How will I know where and when burns are planned? License buyers must first successfully complete a Hunter-Trapper Education Course. It also reduces confusion about which WMUs are open to antlerless hunting. In Pennsylvania, Sunday hunting has been permitted for a long time for foxes, coyotes and crows during open seasons. Many hunters remove the antlers prior to processing. They were definitely cat tracks, no claws at all, and were crisply imprinted in an inch of snow. Anyone, ages 11 and up, can currently register for Pennsylvanias online Hunter-Trapper Education course. Office of Open Records: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Open Records, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, 4th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225. How do I report my bobcat or fisher harvest(s)? On that, I've had emails sent with game trail photo attachments, or killed pumas, supposedly shot in Pennsylvania, but these were hoaxes. As biologists are quick to stress, cougars rarely attack humans. Reducing the fall season in some WMUs and prohibiting rifles should allow turkey populations to reach harvest density goals without further decreasing season lengths in the future. Pennsylvania Hunter-Trapper Education courses take place across the state throughout the year. Many of the reports I receive are extremely credible. Can I use a metal detector on state game lands? American marten weigh between 1-3 lbs. Which College Is Ranked 1 On The 20 Best College Campuses List? With that, Pennsylvanias seasons and management strategies must account for high harvest potential and possible disturbance of hens given the number of hunters. I believe that the folks that are reporting, in detail, their sightings are faced with a similar situation. Certainly, wild pheasants are preferred; however, our stocked pheasants provide countless hours of hunting recreation that otherwise would not be available. This accomplished, my next move was to do a transparency overlay, in an effort to line up both images perfectly. All of the above are Mountain Lions, or Pumas, or Cougars. Fearing the worst, I called 911. So how or why could there be a conspiracy? Call the region office that serves the county where the animal is located, directly. Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, once were native to the eastern U.S. Never approach a mountain lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Our management and research have shown that we shouldn't overharvest females, so we set the fall season length conservatively. Our smaller Siberian, Mace, is 12 (one foot) at the shoulder and weighs a good 15 pounds. Each hunting license comes with one fall turkey tag (and one spring tag), so we regulate fall harvest by season length. Mountain lions, which continue to be reported across Pennsylvania throughout the year, are officially extinct east of the Mississippi River and north of Florida, according to the U.S. Pennsylvanias management plan and seasons are not, and should not, be the same as other states, again, to ensure long-term sustainability of the wild turkey population. Granted, the image is not great, and I used some Photoshop adjustment layers to enhance the image, making it a bit easier to see. You know; the closer an object is to the lens, the bigger it appears. To limit the effect of CWD in deer and elk populations, regulations restricting the movement of high-risk parts, banning feeding within Disease Management Areas (DMAs) and prohibiting the use of urine-based attractants in DMAs are in place. Cougars in Pennsylvania may still be a pipe dream in 2023, but who knows? Where can I see the Game Commissions CWD surveillance results? DNA tests confirmed the big cat originated in South Dakota and that it also previously had been tracked in 2009 and 2010 through Wisconsin and Minnesota, where the animal's DNA had previously been collected through blood, hair and droppings. Can so many people be so wrong? Biology. The Pennsylvania Game Commission updated the Pennsylvania Automated Licensing System in early 2021 which provides hunters with more convenient and efficient ways to apply for an receive hunting licenses. Periodically, via Google searches, I receive reports from people who believe they had seen a mountain lion in Pennsylvania, or in other mid-Atlantic states. I've looked in the PGC game laws booklet and saw nothing on this, which I guess you could conclude means a puma would not be legal to shoot. And while youre here, make sure you check out my free books page and help yourself. When I did, I discovered the intruder was a large cat. What does a Puma (Mountain Lion) look like on a Game Camera? I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I've seen about 10 black bears in Pennsylvania, and all within ten miles of my home. Each year, over tha past five, I've spoken with at least one person who swears they personally saw a puma in this state. Animal welfare is important not only to the public, but to wildlife managers and trappers alike, and will continue to be a critical component of trapping in Pennsylvania. 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